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The Chicago Bears have long been a powerhouse in the NFL, and a big part of their success is due to the legendary players who have worn the iconic navy and orange uniform over the years. The Bears have had several all-time greats who have left an undeniable mark on the franchise. Here is an account of ten legends.
Walter Payton
One of the greatest footballers ever seen, as described by Mike Ditka, Walter Payton’s vision, agility, and relentless work ethic allowed him to amass 16,726 rushing yards. His crowning achievement came in 1985, when he led the Chicago Bears to a Super Bowl victory, sealing his status as a true Chicago legend.
Dick Butkus
A discussion of Bears legends would be incomplete without mentioning the skilled linebacker Dick Butkus. Butkus is the definition of a physically intimidating style of play that built the Bears’ defense during the late 1960s and early 1970s. Because of this, he is regarded as one of the greatest linebackers ever to play.
Mike Ditka
Mike Ditka carved out a Hall of Fame career as a player and a coach. As a tight end, Ditka was a vital cog in the Bears’ offense, using his size to make plays and open up the game. As head coach, Ditka led the Bears to their Super Bowl XX victory in 1985.
Brian Urlacher
Brian is a dynamic linebacker who patrolled the middle of the field from 2000 to 2012. Urlacher’s versatility and playmaking ability made him a constant thorn in opposing offenses, and they couldn’t brush him off. This is reflected in his impressive stats of 41.2 sacks, 90 pass deflections, and 1,046 solo tackles overall.
Richard Dent
With 137.5 total tackles, the legendary Richard Dent exemplified the Bears’ defensive prowess. Dent was a dominant defensive end who terrorized quarterbacks throughout his career. His crowning achievement came during the 1985 season when he was named Super Bowl MVP for his relentless pressure and disruptive play.
Sid Luckman
Sid Luckman left huge shoes at the Chicago Bears. This player recorded over 14,000 passing yards with a 51.8% completion percentage. The pioneering quarterback led the Bears to four NFL championships during the 1940s. Luckman’s innovative play and leadership paved the way for future generations of quarterbacks.
Devin Hester
Hester’s ability to change the momentum of a game with his kickoff and punt return skills was legendary. He holds NFL records for the most total return touchdowns in a single season (six), the most career punt return touchdowns (14), and the most career total return touchdowns (20).
Otis Wilson
Another integral piece of the Bears’ vaunted defense during their 1985 Super Bowl-winning season was Otis Wilson. Wilson’s relentless pursuit of the quarterback was vital to the team’s formidable defensive unit. He finished second with 10.8 sacks in the 1985 season and had 36 sacks in his nine-year career.
Jim McMahon
Jim McMahon led the charge for the Bears with his career stats of 1,492 passes for 18,148 yards and 100 touchdowns. Jim’s effective on-field play embodied the determination that defined the Bears in the 1980s. As the starting quarterback, his leadership and ability to make clutch plays were crucial to the team’s championship aspirations.
Lance Briggs
Lance Briggs was a linebacker for the Bears defense from 2003 to 2014. Known for his exceptional athleticism and playmaking ability, Briggs was a seven-time Pro Bowler who played a significant role in the team’s defensive schemes. During his career, he completed 1,173 tackles with 16 interceptions.
